Jimmy Spencer writes about how there is a new stark divide emerging in Evangelicalism and we'll look back at these current days (with Rob Bell at the center) as quite defining. I think he is right.
He comes at this issue with a different perspective than the one I hold, but in terms of the divide, I hope that he is correct.
More doctrinal clarity will be beneficial. Many churches need to be more explicit about Biblical doctrine and this book and current hoopla that accompanies it will serve that well.
4 comments:
Agreed. I see this as the defining evangelical moment of our generation. Friends and families will find that they haven't believed in the same God and same Gospel. For most of them, however, Bell didn't change anything. He merely brought it to light.
Anytime the Gospel can be clarified and crystallized in the minds of people, it's a good thing.
The religious-left ("social justice") /religious-right divide is occurring with far greater intensity (although below the radar for many) than this universalism/non-universalism divide.
The rise of the 'social justice' movement in Christianity is changing Christianity in real, fundamental ways that will impact (negatively, imo) the face of Christianity for a long time.
I would add that the linked story is from one of the people (Tony Campolo) who is at the heart of the religious (political) left movement. And he touches on the split ('progressive' Christians vs. traditional evangelicals).
It is the most dangerous movement faced by Christianity. Millions of young Christians are buying into it without thinking because it sounds nice, and it will shape (negatively) the face of Christianity for a long time.
When I say "religious left", people often mistake that for simply being liberal theologically. The Soujourners (Jim Wallis), Campolo (Red Letter Christian) folks are almost primarily politically liberal and those movements are very political. They use Christianity to achieve liberal political goals. This has been going on under the radar for some time. Millions of younger evangelicals have been sucked in although many don't talk about it openly yet.
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